vituperative

adjective

vī-ˈtü-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce vituperative (audio)
Definition of vituperativenext
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language the type of provocative magazine article that is guaranteed to engender vituperative threats of subscription cancellations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vituperative Bal and Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, while almost certainly proceeding without Israeli institutional support, given the vituperative reactions his recent films have provoked — and, by his own admission, have been designed to provoke. — Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026 The initiative text is replete with vituperative language attacking personal injury lawyers as a class. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Juxtaposed with these vituperative remarks are, naturally, shots of Trump seemingly falling asleep while on camera. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025 In the years intervening, the poem has remained a lodestar, a contravening presence when, in present day America’s vituperative political landscape, the humanities disciplines and higher education itself has been forced to invoke and defend its own authority. — Elaine L. Wang september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vituperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vituperative
  1. abusive
  2. outrageous
  3. insulting
  4. vitriolic
  5. obscene
Adjective
  • At the Texas and Connecticut trials, victims’ relatives testified that Jones’ followers — believing his claims that the shooting didn’t happen — subjected them to death and rape threats, in-person harassment and abusive comments on social media.
    — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In 2026, a seemingly never-ending wave of layoffs and studio closures has made jobs so scarce that workers may feel more pressure to tolerate abusive conditions.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The outfits are increasingly outrageous, including a number featuring knee-high pink leather boots paired with same colored short shorts and a leather bra and long lime green hair.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • The comments under Miller’s social media posts grew startlingly vitriolic.
    — Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Steve, some of the most vitriolic and toxic letters have come from you.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Definition of vitriolic
Adjective
  • The Tarrant County decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Starks said the obscene gesture was meant as a joke to teammates.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscene

Browse Nearby Words

vituperations
vituperative
vituperatively
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Cite this Entry

“Vituperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vituperative. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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